Dermatologists diagnose psoriasis by examining the skin, nails, and scalp. If the diagnosis is in doubt, a skin biopsy may be helpful.

How is psoriasis treated?

The goal is to reduce inflammation and to control shedding of the skin. Moisturizing creams and lotions loosen scales and help control itching. Special diets have not been successful in treating psoriasis, except in isolated eases.
Treatment is based on a patient’s health, age, lifestyle, and the severity of the psoriasis. Different types of treatments and several visits to your dermatologist may be needed.                                                                   Your dermatologist may prescribe medications to apply on the skin containing cortisone compounds, synthetic vitamin D analogues, retinoids (vitamin A derivative), tar, or anthralin. These may be used in combination with natural sunlight or ultraviolet light. The more severe forms of psoriasis may require oral or injectable medications with or without light treatment.
Sunlight exposure helps the majority of people with psoriasis but it must be used cautiously. Ultraviolet light therapy may be given in a dermatologist’s office, a psoriasis center, or a hospital.

Steroids (Cortisone)- Cortisone is a medication that reduces inflammation. Cortisone creams, ointments, and lotions may clear the skin temporarily and control the condition in many patients. Weaker preparations should be used on more sensitive areas of the body such as the genitals and face. Stronger preparations will usually be needed to control lesions on the scalp, elbows, knees, palms, soles, and parts of the torso. Dressings may sometimes be applied to enhance the effectiveness of the medication. These must be used cautiously and with your dermatologist’s instruction. Side effects of the stronger cortisone preparations include thinning of the skin, dilated blood vessels, bruising, and skin color changes. Stopping these medications suddenly may result in a flare- up of the disease. After many months of treatment, the psoriasis may become resistant to the steroid preparations.
Your dermatologist may inject cortisone in difficult-to-treat spots. These injections must be used in very small amounts to avoid side effects.

Scalp Treatment- The treatment for psoriasis of the scalp depends on the seriousness of the disease, hair length, and the patient’s lifestyle. A variety of nonprescription and prescription shampoos, oils, solutions, foams, and sprays are available. Most contain coal tar or cortisone. Salicylic and lactic acid preperations may be used to remove the scale. The patient must take care to avoid harsh shampooing and scratching the scalp.

Anthralin- This is a medication that works well on tough-to-treat thick patches of psoriasis. It can cause irritation and temporary staining of the skin and clothes. Newer preparations and methods of treatment have lessened these side effects.

Vitamin D-  Synthetic vitamin D analogue (calcipotriene), is useful for individuals with localized psoriasis and can be used with other treatments. Limited amounts should be used to avoid side effects. Ordinary vitamin D, as one would buy in a drug store or health food store, is of no value in treating psoriasis.

Retinoids- Prescription vitamin A-related gels, creams (tazarotene), and oral medications (isotrentinoin, acitretin) may be used alone or in combination with topical steroids for treatment of localized psoriasis. Women who are, or may become pregnant should not use topical or oral retinoids.

Coal Tar- For more than 100 years, coal tar has been used to treat psoriasis. Today’s products are greatly improved and less messy. Stronger prescriptions can be made specifically to treat difficult areas.

Goeckerman Treatment-  This therapy is named after the Mayo Clinic dermatologist who first reported it in 1925. Combining coal tar dressings and ultraviolet light, it is used for patients with severe psoriasis. The treatment is performed daily in specialized centers. Ultraviolet exposure times vary with the kind of psoriasis and the sensitivity of the patient’s skin.

Light Therapy-  Sunlight and ultraviolet light slow the rapid growth of skin cells. Although ultraviolet light or sunlight can cause skin wrinkling, eye damage, and skin cancer, light treatment is safe and effective under a doctor’s care. People with psoriasis all over their bodies may require treatment in a medically approved center equipped with light boxes for full body exposure. Psoriasis patients who live in warm climates may be directed to carefully sunbathe. Seek the advice of your dermatologist before self-treating with natural or artificial sunlight.

Ultraviolet light B (UVB)-  This treatment involves exposing the skin to a wavelength of ultraviolet light called UVB. It may be used alone or in combination with topical or systemic treatments. UVB is administered with a light box that surrounds the patient or a light panel in front of which the patient stands. it takes about 24 treatments over a two month period for clearing to occur. A new type of UVB treatment called “narrowband” UVB may be used if patients do not respond to broadband UVB. Although UVB is very safe and effective, it does have possible side effects that include burns, freckling, and aging. Risks of skin cancer appear to be no greater than those caused by sun exposure.  

PUVA-  When psoriasis has not responded to other treatments or is widespread, PUVA is effective in approximately 85% of cases. Patients are given a drug called psoralen which may be taken orally or applied to the psoriasis and then exposed to a carefully measured amount of a special form of ultraviolet (UVA) light. The treatment name comes from “psoralen + UVA,” the two factors involved. It takes approximately 25 treatments, over a two or three month period, before clearing occurs. About 30-40 treatments a year are usually required to keep the psoriasis under control. Because psoralen remains in the lens of the eye patients must wear UVA blocking eyeglasses when exposed to sunlight from the time the psoralen is taken until sunset that day. PUVA treatments over a long period increase the risk of skin aging, freckling, and skin cancer. Dermatologists and their staff must monitor PUVA treatment very carefully.

Methotrexate- This is an oral anti-cancer drug that can produce dramatic clearing of psoriasis when other treatments have failed. Because it can cause side effects, particularly liver disease, regular blood tests are performed. Chest x-rays and occasional liver biopsies may be required. Other side effects include upset stomach, nausea, and dizziness. Methotrexate should not be used by pregnant women, or by men and women who are trying to conceive a child. Conception should be avoided for at least 12 weeks after stopping methotrexate. Alcoholic beverages should not be consumed if using methotrexate.

Retinoids-Prescription oral vitamin A-related drugs may be prescribed alone or in combination with ultraviolet light for severe cases of psoriasis. Side effects include dryness of the skin, lips, and eyes; elevation of fat levels in the blood (cholesterol and triglycerides); and formation of tiny bone spurs. Oral retinoids should not be used by pregnant women, or women who intend to become pregnant during or within three years of discontinuation of therapy, as birth defects may result. Close monitoring is required together with regular blood tests.

Cyclosporine- This is an immunosuppressant drug used to prevent rejection of transplanted organs (liver and kidneys). It is used for treatment of widespread psoriasis when other methods have failed. Because of potential effects on the kidneys and blood pressure, close medical monitoring is required together with regular blood tests.

Alefacept- This is a biologic agent that works by blocking the overactivation of T-Cells. Alefacept is for moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis and is administered through an injection.

Etancercept- This is a biologic agent that blocks tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a, thereby interfering with a key cytokine that contributes to the development of psoriasis. It has been used for psoriatic arthritis and also benefits cutaneous psoriasis.

Other Biologic Agents

Infliximab and Adalimumab- Also blocks tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) and have been under investigation for the treatment of psoriasis. They are approved for other indications.

Copyright (c) 1999 - 2006 Advanced Dermatology & Skin Surgery
Spokane, Washington
Revised: February 02, 2006